EATING MORE TO REVERSE HEART DISEASE
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) |
Scientific research has demonstrated that consuming more of the following common foods will help fight heart and blood vessel disease:
- Soy protein (soy milk, tofu, soy burgers, soy protein powder) because it lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides without decreasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Garlic and onions not only lower cholesterol but decrease blood pressure and blood clotting.
Carrots. Two carrots every day supply enough carotenoids to cut the risk of stroke in half among men who have signs of heart disease. One study also shows that women who ate five or more servings of carrots a week had a stroke rate 68 percent lower than those who ate no more than one serving.
Black and green tea contain a lot of bioflavonoids, antioxidants which also reduce LDL cholesterol and discourage it from sticking to the artery walls.
Apples are high in bioflavonoids as well pectin, a soluble fiber with cholesterol reducing effects.
Salmon, catfish, trout, cod, halibut, shark and mackerel are high in omega-3 oil fatty acids that lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, raise HDL-cholesterol, and reduce blood clotting. Snake oil has the highest omega-3 content of any animal but snake oil salesmen are difficult to find.
Broccoli is rich in fiber, vitamin C and carotenoids, all of which play a major role in reversing heart disease and cancer.
Nuts are high in linolenic acid and vitamin E, both of which are important in heart disease prevention.
Cantaloupe is a rich source of the antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C and carotenoids.
Lima Beans, along with other legumes (navy, kidney, garbanzo), are a good source of folic acid, a deficiency of which could account for 40 percent of heart attacks and strokes. Lima beans are also high in fiber, containing 10 grams per cup.
Oat bran (only 2 ounces daily) decreases cholesterol an average of 16 percent.
Cayenne and other hot peppers are high in compounds that dilate arteries and improve circulation anywhere in the body.
Dr. Rona
